stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

which ones? lol

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

Man, it's been a while since I updated this thing. I was having some issues with this car for months. It's mostly been related to the fuel pump. The Walbro I bought 2 years ago was flawed from the get go. I finally nailed down the Walbro as the culprit and ordered another pump. I ordered the same pump, hopefully this one is functional.

When I went to install is, I noticed that my gas tank was flaking off from the inside. This is the second tank I've put on this car, so I am now on my third. They have all been used tanks from AZ cars... ?!?!?! I have NO idea why they keep rusting, so I decided to be more proactive.

I ordered the Fuel Tank Repair Kit from POR15.
http://www.por15.com/prodinfo.asp?grp=FTRK&dept=12



I'll be going through this process today, so I'll make sure to take a few pics.
This stuff is indestructible, so if the car burns down, I should be able to salvage the gas tank after this.

classicauto

iTrader: (3)

Just as a suggestion regarding the tank issue, have you priced out getting the existing tank lined? Alot of places will clean, line and coat the outside of the tank for a few hundred bucks. It would be a similar type of coating to the POR-15 stuff, but applied professionally as well as (more importantly) prepped professionally.

i've had several tanks done by a local radiator shop who offers the service, one of which was done almost 10 years ago in my 84' Jetta...still going strong. Another was my custom AI tank which turned out well.

I'd be interested to hear how the POR stuff works though if you do go ahead with it

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

Thanks Classic,

I already bought it so I will be going forward with it. I thought about getting the outside done, but I live in AZ... there is no snow/salt here in Phoenix.

In both cases, my tank has peeled/rusted from the inside. I am not sure what is causing this. I have run a variety of fuels from alcohol to race fuel to 92 octane. I keep thinking that putting EverClear in the tank for emissions may have been the catalyst... there is sugar in grain alcohol. ?!??

At any case, this kit is VERY easy to use. I'll clean the tank best I can first. For all the steps involved, All I need to do is pour in the solution and slosh it around. The only thing I need to be aware of, is the final step. The actual sealer cannot puddle.

I am no engineer, but I think I can handle this task. LOL
I'll take some pics and report back later.

classicauto

iTrader: (3)

Good stuff man, I figured you'd go ahead and try it but just wanted to throw aroudn some other options in case you weren't aware.

good luck!!

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

I did the first three steps last night... Man it was hard work, easy but hard!!

Basically, I had to add the cleaning solution (Marine Clean) with warm water and shake the 15 gallon tank around vigorously for TWENTY minutes.

Rinse and repeat.

Pour in the abrasive solution (Metal Ready) and shake vigorously for TWENTY minutes. So far, that's ONE HOUR of shaking a 15 gallon tank vigorously. My arms are SO sore right now. Not to mention, on the first cycle of shaking, the tape didn't stick and the solution ended up all over me.

So now I have to heat dry the tank and pour in the sealer. This will be a lot lighter work. I just need to slowly rotate the tank to get all of the surfaces coated. Let it drain and sit for 4 days.

Last step is to hook it all back up and run gas with some stabilizer through the system.

classicauto

iTrader: (3)

you SHOOK that bitch by hand? Damn remind me never to get on your bad side

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

LOL
I didn't have anything else to do the job.
Dude I think my arms are gonna fall off.

MaczPayne

iTrader: (5)

Guns, you have my friend!

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

I finished sealing the tank in about 2 days. Then I let the sealer cure for 4 days. Installed the new Walbro and tank. This Walbro sounds MUCH quieter and I haven't noticed it vary at all. However, I haven't been driving her since. I am upgrading the rest of the fuel system now. Aeromotive FPR with -6 lines to the rails. I will eventually run -8 from the tank to the FPR.
I DO have a few updates:
Apexi Dual N1 Y-pipe and replaced the 2.5" mid-pipe with a 3.5". Much more aggressive stance!!! WOW





I also picked up a few parts for my interior. I FINALLY got the S5 radio surround. And I found a perfect black hatch cover for $15!!! I am very happy with that find. (still looking for some decent black leather seats)






Now she needs a bath!!

darkphantom

iTrader: (2)

from a 3rd generation to a 2nd gen owner. Love the book and read every detail. What you did was nothing more than a miracle!

stylEmon

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Thanks darkphantom. It's been a long road.

I was thinking yesterday how many friends/fellow rotor heads I personally know. I've seen some go through 4 turbos, 3 motors.. and a couple even fell off into the darkside (V8 conversion) all in the time I've been building this one. It requires much patients...

Speaking of book, the guys that wrote "How to modify your RX-7" approached me about my AI system. They are gonna feature photos of my 7 in the new book!!!

darkphantom

iTrader: (2)

go for it

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

Fuel system is just about there. I went with the Aeromotive Fuel Pressure regulator and an running -6 fuel lines to the rails. I will be running -8 to the tank next, and then changing the fuel rails to run in parallel.

Now I will be able to tell if there is an issue with the fuel pressure at a glance... Finally. This could've saved me a lot of guess work earlier.

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

Just got a quick glance at my car. I heard her running and it was SWEET. It sounds pretty good with the Apexi N1 duals. Right now the silencers are on the tips (boooo). It sounds good tho. It's running much better than it has in a WHILE. Now back to tuning.

It's nice to have the proper fuel pressure for once! My engine builder took one of the stock FPRs apart just to see what it looked like. He said the fuel was squeezing through a pin hole... No wonder the walbro was straining and the fuel pressure was +20 off.

I will try to get some video of her running tonight.

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

Video Time!
Some video comparison of the Apexi N1 dual exhaust with and without muffled tips.

Here is what the new exhaust set up sounds like with the muffled tips in. A little 'tin' sound too it.
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i103.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vid103.photobucket.com/albums/m130/stylEmon/MOV04492.flv"></embed>

Here is without the tips... much more bass.
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i103.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vid103.photobucket.com/albums/m130/stylEmon/MOV04493.flv"></embed>

A little 2nd gear pull.
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i103.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vid103.photobucket.com/albums/m130/stylEmon/MOV04496.flv"></embed>

Look when you hear the wastegate open, the car shoots off pretty quick.
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i103.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vid103.photobucket.com/albums/m130/stylEmon/MOV04495.flv"></embed>

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

Here is a 4th gear pull from about 3000 to 6000 RPMs. I have a 9psi wastegate spring, but you can see, in 4th, it gets up to about 12 psi. The car is tune for that range, so it isn't a big deal... The turbo is just letting me know it wants to be opened up some more!!

The outside temp was around 70*F. I am running 50/50 water/methanol. It's great to see the AIT drop under boost like that.

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

I spent the day mounting my Lambda gauge in place of the stock (worthless) clock. It was a little tricky. What do you think?

cozmo kraemer

Glad to see you are back up and running, it pained me to see your car sitting up at Elliot's place when I was up there for my exhaust.

My car made 300+ ft/lbs of torque at 1800rpm. The car is very different with the LS1...and it only took me 3 months to build it in a garage that was TINY, the doors of the car wouldn't even open more than halfway it was so narrow...and I had an ACL reconstruction on my knee in the middle of the build. I had NO help, so I was proud of the timeframe. I am so happy that I am not scared to go full throttle on the thing!


Back to your car...
IF I was building an FC I would go to a front mount and a nice big Howe radiator (or similar). The FC doesn't have the cooling problems of the FD and so you can run an intercooler with limited downside. Then you could run pure water and all the benefits of that and still have the safegard of always having some sort of cooling of your intake charge (especially here in the summer). If it was possible in the FD I would have ran an IC and pure water (both pre comp and pre throttle body).

You are seeing about the exact same results as I was when I was testing my Aquamist setup last year. I had very good results and I felt like I was debunking a lot of myth out there, I am glad you are continuing the research.

My car should be up at Elliot's a few weeks from now getting another set of cats and trying to tuck the cats a little better (they hung too low). You should see if you could meet me up there and I will give you a ride.

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

I'll be there!!
I'm glad to hear your FD was back on the road in such a short time. I hope you knee is doing alright. If you think it pained you to see my car there...

I got to check out Nolan's LS-1 FC. Sweet set up. It didn't seem to sit that far up front in the engine bay. I was surprised!

More and more, I would like to have an IC on there just to be extra sure. There is just too much of a "What if" with no IC. Especially as I up the boost. I had a nice V-mount that I should've kept.

Right now I am seeing things that make me happy Even with 50/50 I am stoked. It makes me somewhat assured that your AI system didn't cause engine failure, but your system was more complex than mine. I will upgrade the cooling system in time. My stock radiator is doing alright, and I have pretty solid/predictable water temps. I did some minor ducting that gave me a 5* drop, so I am happy with the cooling system for now.

Let me know when you are going to the shop. I will make it out for sure!

cozmo kraemer

This is a little off topic...but the LS1 is funny. I loved the rotary, its uniqueness and the way it felt and sounded. I also really liked the way the FD tranny felt. I have driven a few Corvettes and the tranny always disappointed me. I was a little worried that the LS1 might in fact take a little of the spirit of the car away.

I was wrong in my worry. The tranny feels great in shifting, much better than a vette, the engine is great and so predictable...it makes the car a lot more fun because you aren't worried...that is what killed me with that rotary, always being worried. Linear power also has many advantages. I am excited with it! It did however fail emissions with the cats I put on...so now I am adding another set. The car is an emissions nightmare! I also changed the way the diff mounted with a revised rear subframe that is pretty trick.


I was really glad to see your car back on the road! What was it up there getting done to it? Was Elliot doing the fuel system? He asked me some questions about fittings I had used so I was thinking maybe he was doing your fuel system. Have you had your car on the dyno yet?

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

I'm not a purist by any stretch. It's your car, have fun with it. I love the rotary, always have. But I gotta admit, in Nolan's FC... I was tempted. The sounds was intense, and the linear power reminded me of my first car (old Dodge Aspen fastback with a 318). You do seem to have some issues with emissions, don't you!?!? LOL I'd like to see the altered subframe on that swap.

My car took a couple months off. I was having fuel "issues". There were a few of them... the most comical, if I call it that, was the gas tank rusting again. Check a few posts up, I had to use POR 15 gas tank sealer on my THIRD tank.

My Walbro took a dump. Probably because I was forcing all that fuel pressure through the stock FPR. Replaced the pump and upgraded to the Aeromotive and -6 lines. Also a few posts up. I also got some nice interior goodies and replaced the stock clock with my digital AFR gauge. (also previously posted).

Elliot is taking the other black FD to dyno in a couple weeks. I will tag along if all goes well between now and then. I've been logging and tuning like crazy just to make sure everything is doing what it's supposed to.

Oh, I also got a better exhaust for this turbo kit. There are a few vids posted above with the sound difference. It should make you happy, I finally went 3.5 straight through to the Y-pipe (2.5 duals). Spools and sounds like she should!

cozmo kraemer

I used POR15 on my engine bay when I repainted it prior to the LS1 install. Great stuff, but a little tempramental. I really like their degreaser too, but you have to be careful if you mix it in harsh concentrations, it got through my gloves and made my hands all raw.

I would be interested to see your dyno results. You have pretty close to the same setup as I once did. My car never hit the dyno running optimally so I never got to see what it could do.

It is just another example of the contrast in the LS1... I wired everything myself. Turned the key...fired right up...was running kinda bad...discovered it was a dirty HFM and bad plugs, cleaned and changed, runs great. Tuning took two hours and no issues. I was flabbergasted! With the other engine there always seemed to be issues...

I sold my Aquamist setup to RCCAZ-1 on here. He is local, and a good guy, his name is Tim. I will be doing the install (or at the min, helping) so we will have an intercooled setup with advanced water/alcohol. Should be good times! Funny story is when my rotary blew, he was passing by and actually picked me up and took me home (we live on the same road). Small world!

stylEmon

iTrader: (2)

I think I've met him... Black RX-8?
The POR 15 stuff was easy for me. Pour, shake, rinse, repeat. My arms were sore tho.

I will be running less boost than you I believe. 9 lbs spring, but gets up to 12 in higher gear. Other than that, our set ups are VERY close. What was your turbine size? I'm running a 1.24 (big ol' diesel turbine... LOL)

I finally seem to be getting past the "other issues" part of tuning. I think my main problem before was the varying fuel pressure. There is a chance my original Walbro was faulty from the get-go. My FC is running better than ever now. Starts right up every time. Still a little rich on start up, but that's because of my AI system priming. I will be fixing that with a toggle switch this week.